Background
The neurobiological basis for autism remains poorly understood. Given the role of
growth factors in brain development, we hypothesized that epidermal growth factor
(EGF) may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. In this study, we examined
whether serum levels of EGF are altered in adult subjects with high-functioning autism.
Methods
We measured serum levels of EGF in the 17 male subjects with high-functioning autism
and 18 age-matched healthy male subjects.
Results
The serum levels of EGF in the subjects with high-functioning autism (72.4 ± 102.8
pg/mL [mean ± SD]) were significantly lower (Mann-Whitney U = 22.0, p < .001) than those of normal control subjects (322.3 ± 122.0 pg/mL [mean
± SD]). However, there were no correlations between serum EGF levels and clinical
variables in the subjects with autism.
Conclusions
This study suggests that decreased levels of EGF might be implicated in the pathophysiology
of high-functioning autism.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 24, 2006
Accepted:
August 1,
2006
Received in revised form:
July 28,
2006
Received:
June 14,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
